Freedom of Speech

Having adapted Ibsen's drama shortly after World War II ended, Miller obviously had Nazi Germany in mind when focusing on a man's attempt to tell his town important information he has discovered but is prohibited from doing so by the government. He is not allowed to print the information in the local newspaper and is banned from discussing the matter in a public forum. Peter Stockmann, the mayor of the town and Dr. Stockmann's brother, who is suppressing Dr. Stockmann's freedom of speech, tells him that the people are better off not knowing the truth.

Just as Hitler's diatribes were left unanswered, the Mayor is allowed to speak freely to the townspeople and tell them lies about Dr. Stockmann and his motivations without being questioned or allowing the doctor to defend himself. That Dr. Stockmann wants to move his family to America, the world's foremost defender...